1.2 Understand how students learn
Proficient: Structure teaching programs using research and collegial advice about how students learn.
While on my final teaching placement I had to research a lot of the Reggio Emilia philosophy and adapt my teaching accordingly. I used this research as the foundation for my planning. The Reggio Emilia's constructivist view of learning encourages all young children to investigate their environments to the fullest (Mitchell, p.32). This involved using a lot of natural materials, and not limiting learning to just inside the classroom. A lot of lessons involved the students guiding their own learning, or extending on ideas students have produced. The below has been taken from my final teaching placement report.
"Matilda uses her knowledge of how children learn to improve children’s learning and ensures that she catering for all their needs. She establishes open ended tasks which allows for multiple entry points. Matilda ensures that she is working in the child’s zone of proximal development by gathering children’s prior understanding on a topic and referring to where they should be at developmentally. She has been researching the Reggio Emilia philosophy and adapting these principles within her teaching and learning. Matilda demonstrates this through documenting children’s prior knowledge, building on these understandings and using the child’s interests to drive the learning."- Alicia Farina, Mentor Teacher, 2016.
Below is an example of a Mathematics lesson I conducted on my final placement where we were looking at 2D shapes. Rather than restricting learning to just in their books, I got students out using their bodies and collaboratively working together to create shapes outside. The document below is a sample of documentation which we used a lot throughout the classroom. It is displayed in the classroom so students work is being visibly valued and acknowledged. In the documentation I generally ask students a prompting question to create class discussion, and record students' responses as a part of the documentation.
Mitchell, L. (2007). Using Technology in Reggio Emilia-Inspired Programs. Theory Into Practice, 46(1), 32-39. http://dx.doi.org/10.1207/s15430421tip4601_5.